Katherine smiled as her robe slid open to reveal the pale side of one large breast. She did have lovely breasts. Unfortunately for Katherine, Brendan’s tastes had changed significantly since their last meeting. He fancied a smaller, tidier bosom now, and less generous curves. Preferably a slender, more compact form with spectacular legs.
“Darling,” Katherine breathed, brushing her assets against him as she attempted to wind her arms around his neck. “We canfinallybe alone. I gave the excuse that I had to see to some last-minute preparations, which gave me a terrible headache. I’m not sure Mother believes me.” A husky giggle popped from her pillowed lips.
Brendan took her hands from his neck and pushed away from her, taking several paces back to put a chair between them.
Surprised confusion crossed her lovely features. She wasn’t used to him resisting her and thought he merely played a game with her, as evidenced by the way she pouted and allowed the robe to slide down her shoulder.
“I’ve never known you to be so reticent, Brendan.”
Katherine was stunningly beautiful, now even more so than when she’d been a young girl. Once, the mere sight of her had brought Brendan to his knees with lust. He crossed his arms, not feeling the slightest arousal at the sight of her.
“I know you still love me.” She shook her head so a curl fell artfully between the deep valley of her breasts.
He’dneverloved her. But he had cared for her. He still did. But his affection for Katherine was nothing like this overpowering urge to claim Petra. “Do not mistake childhood affection for love.”
She came forward, hips gently swaying. “Father knew we were meant for each other. He was most distressed we didn’t marry.” Her brow wrinkled. “Why are you being so difficult?”
Brendan had always found the previous Lord Pendleton’s approval odd, since Lady Pendleton didn’t care for him in the least. And Simon detested him. But at the time, Brendan hadn’t questioned his good fortune. Now, some years later, he found the old man’s encouragement to be strange.
“I love you,” she murmured, looking up at him with great doe eyes.
A snort of disbelief. “You don’tloveme, Katherine. Nor I, you. Don’t mistake fucking for love. It isn’t at all the same.”
A hiss. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you still mad about Whitfield? He’s dead.”
Brendan shook his head. “I’m not mad about Whitfield. I never was. And I’m sorry you won’t get to be a duchess. You would have been splendid.” His tone softened.
“Yes.” Katherine toyed with the sash of her robe. “Unfortunate, to say the least. Iwouldhave made a smashing duchess.” She looked him in the eye and shrugged. “I would settle for being a countess.”
Another snort of disbelief left him. “No. You wouldn’t. You are far more ambitious than that.”
She gave him a sideways glance from beneath her lashes before bestowing a brilliant,genuinesmile. The first one he’d seen from her in ages. Since before Whitfield.
“You’ve always known me best, haven’t you? And liked me in spite of knowing me so well.”
"We would never have been happy had we wed,” Brendan said. “You know that as well as I. We wanted different things. You’ll find another earl or duke.”
His playmate, the girl she’d once been before they became lovers, stared back at him and nodded. “I’ve always wanted to be a duchess. I understand the Duke of Roxbury recently lost his wife, so I have high hopes.” She looked down for a moment, her bare toe making circles in the carpet beneath their feet. “I suppose I should leave.” Then her chin lifted, and she shot him a saucy look. “Or we could have a tumble for old time’s sake?”
“I don’t think that’s advisable.”
“Well, you can’t blame me for trying. We were spectacular in the bedroom.”
Indeed, they had been. Katherine was a near insatiable lover and very skilled. She should have been a courtesan. “You should go.” He moved toward the door.
“Mother wishes me to cozy up to Haddon. He’s certainly handsomeandwealthy enough, though I believe his interests lie in another direction.” She walked past him in a cloud of whatever cloying scent she currently favored. “Besides, four daughters? I’ve no patience for such a thing.”
“I agree. You aren’t the least maternal. And you’d eat poor Haddon alive.”
A small burst of soft laughter from her. “No, I’m not motherly. But as for Haddon, well, you don’t know him as well as you should. Remember,Iwas in London. Thetonstill speaks of his escapades. Ask your cousin, the duke.” Her eyes gleamed with unspoken knowledge. “I’m sure you’d be surprised.”
Haddon’s past was of no interest to Brendan. What he knew of the man, he liked and felt no need to delve further. Why would he? “Perhaps.”
She came forward, stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You’reverycertain?” The robe slid open further and she tilted her chin in the direction of the large bed.
“I am.” He was. Any man would wish to bed Katherine. That he did not wish to renew their relationship proved beyond a doubt that something had shifted inside him. Escorting her to the door, he pressed a kiss to her temple, relieved they could part as friends.
“Good night, Katherine.”
